These records only include deaths that were reported to the Social Security Administration to discontinue benefits that had been provided to a person, or deaths reported by a surviving relative applying for benefits. So not all deaths are in the database.

There are private geneology sites that have online databases that index some of the vital records that are in government databases.

You usually can do a free search by a person’s name to find what records are available. These sites then require registration to get more detailed information and charge a fee for viewing or ordering the records.

But even the free search often helps you discover if the Social Security Administration or a state agency has a vital record on a person.

Among the private geneology sites that let you search their databases are:

FamilySearch – a service provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

In California, a county recorder’s office will keep an index of births, deaths and marriages that occurred in that county (divorce records are civil actions filed separately in a county superior court).

For recent births and deaths, the records are kept by the county health department.

Some counties allow you to check the index yourself at the agency’s office, but at others you have to ask a clerk to look up a name.

There almost always is a charge for getting a copy of any of the records. Most counties will not let you just view the records. You have to purchase a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate (divorce records are civil filings and those can be reviewed for free at a county superior court).

The indexes and records rarely are available online.

A list of each of the county health departments and recorder’s offices that index birth, death and marriage certificates can be found at the state Center for Health Statistics Web site: